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Mineral – what is Magnesium ? | The Mineral Of Magnesium

About half of the magnesium in your body is stored in your bones, while the rest is at work in the cells of your organs and other tissues. There are more than 300 biochemical processes in the human body that require magnesium. From the heart to the bones, some of the body’s most fundamental systems and structures rely on this important mineral. Both day to day and long term health and well-being call for sufficient intake of magnesium.

It may be one of the most important anti aging minerals, and magnesium is essential for calcium and vitamin C absorption, as well as helping the metabolism of phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. Overall, magnesium helps convert blood sugar into energy and it is necessary for effective nerve and muscle functioning. It is often referred to as the anti stress mineral. But although they aren’t easy to destroy, you do have to eat them in the first place! One of the main reasons for a magnesium deficiency, particularly among athletes, is poor diet.

In fact, magnesium can be used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmia. If given immediately after a heart attack and for the following four weeks, magnesium has been shown to speed recovery by reducing the number of dangerous arrhythmias. An important contribution magnesium makes to the bones is to help in the production of the hormone calcitonin, which increases calcium levels in the bones.

This mineral converts blood sugar into energy, facilitates effective nerve and muscle functioning, and it is involved in bone and tooth formation. Magnesium regulates heart rhythm, clots blood, and assists the body in producing and using insulin.This can develop into chronic fatigue syndrome where you struggle to have enough energy to get out of bed, let alone get out on your bike. The highest concentration of magnesium is found in organs which are the most metabolically active. Even a relatively mild deficiency can affect these tissues.

Magnesium Food Sources:

You get magnesium from whole grains and whole-grain breads, nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, Whole grains, nuts, legumes, dark leafy vegetables, shellfish, figs, lemons, grapefruit, yellow corn, almonds, seeds, apples, lentils, split peas, tofu, black eyed peas, lima beans, peanuts, cashews, wild rice, wheat germ, bean sprouts, spinach, milk, cheddar cheese, American cheese, chicken, beef, and pork.

Adults need about 300mg magnesium per day. The best sources are brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, wheatgerm, almonds, raisins and sesame seeds. Green vegetables are also a fairly good source since each molecule of chlorophyll contains an atom of magnesium. If you are lacking in energy and suffer regularly from muscle cramps and mood swings, you are likely to benefit from a more regular intake of magnesium.

If taken in relatively high amounts, it works together with calcium and vitamin D to help keep bones strong and prevent osteoporosis. Dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli and avocado are excellent magnesium sources. Other magnesium sources include whole grains, legumes, black beans, brown rice, lentils, almonds, cashews, peanuts and peanut butter, bananas, soybeans, wheat bran and bran flakes, lean meats, dried figs, halibut, crab and sardines.